Psychiatric evaluation for murder suspect entered into evidence

Autumn Spears, 19, of Lima, charged with murder in the Sept. 25, 2017 stabbing death of Stephan Kimble-Childress of Toledo, appeared briefly Wednesday morning in Allen County Common Pleas Court.

J Swygart | The Lima News

LIMA — A 45-page psychological evaluation prepared by a mental health expert obtained by the attorney for accused murderer Autumn Spears was entered into evidence Wednesday in Allen County Common Pleas Court.

At the request of attorney Kenneth Rexford, the report was sealed from public view due to “the extreme number of private details” surrounding his client and other persons mentioned that are included in the lengthy evaluation.

Rexford said the report is “the most important piece of evidence in the defense’s preparation for trial.”

Spears, 19, is charged in the Sept. 25, 2017 stabbing death of Stephan Kimble-Childress, 27, of Toledo. Police say Spears stabbed the Toledo man at the Lima West Apartments, 1855 N. Cole St., Lima. The teen was indicted by a grand jury in November on two counts of murder, unclassified felonies, and two counts of felonious assault, felonies of the second degree.

The defense attorney had previously requested his client undergo a series of psychological tests to determine her competency to stand trial. During an earlier hearing, Rexford and prosecutors accepted the results of what was described as an “extensive evaluation” by mental health professionals of Spears that found her to be competent.

Rexford, however, at that time raised the possibility of reaching out to experts in the mental health field as part of an additional evaluation focused on the mental status of his client at the time of the alleged offense.

The evaluations could result in a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, he said.

Rexford had previously suggested that a battered woman syndrome defense could be employed should his client go to trial. The attorney said his client has a “history as a victim of sex trafficking.”

Prosecutors said Spears had previously been arrested in Toledo in a separate stabbing incident.

Autumn Spears, 19, of Lima, charged with murder in the Sept. 25, 2017 stabbing death of Stephan Kimble-Childress of Toledo, appeared briefly Wednesday morning in Allen County Common Pleas Court.

https://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2018/08/web1_Autumn-Spears-Aug-1.jpgAutumn Spears, 19, of Lima, charged with murder in the Sept. 25, 2017 stabbing death of Stephan Kimble-Childress of Toledo, appeared briefly Wednesday morning in Allen County Common Pleas Court. J Swygart | The Lima News